The DSMDC is a group of Metal Detecting enthusiasts who meet monthly to share their treasure finds with fellow members and discuss some of their tips and tricks of the trade.
The meetings are held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Members and guests may arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. This will give everyone time to socialize, so we can start on time.
Come join the fun! Visitors are always welcome. Click on the Meeting Schedule banner below for meeting location, dates and time.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Arizona Gold Adventures Inc has expanded its gold prospecting school by partnering with Arizona Outback LLC, to instruct clients wishing to learn how to metal detect for gold nuggets. Arizona Outback is one of the nation's leading suppliers of metal detector technology and has served the gold prospecting and treasure hunting community since 1998.

Arizona Outback metal detecting instructors travel the world using the metal detecting technology they train with, and are accredited Minelab Metal Detector experts.

For more information on Arizona Outback LLC, located in Prescott Valley, Arizona, call Chris Gholson at 928-777-0267 or, visit them at http://www.ArizonaOutback.com.

About Arizona Gold Adventures Inc.Arizona Gold Adventures Inc. headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the leading provider of guided, fully equipped and outfitted instructional gold prospecting day trips and vacations in the state of Arizona. Call Terry Soloman at 914-589-3985 for more information or visit us at: http://www.ArizonaGoldAdventures.com.Source: SBWire

Across the Pond our British mental detecting friends are always finding really great stuff.

We all know that Britain has a log storied past. The Romans invaded in 43 AD and stayed until about 409 AD, during that time London was called Londinium.

It is not unusual to run across stories of a metal detectorist's finding some important historical artifacts in the local countryside.

This gold coin was found in a field and is expected to sell at auction for about $50,000

Found by a metal detecting enthusiast, the coin dates from the reign of Emperor Licinius I. One of only four known examples, the coin was struck for the emperor in AD 313 to distribute at special occasions.

The enthusiast, who wants to remain anonymous, thought it was aluminum foil when he first pulled it out of the mud. On the day it was discovered, the enthusiast said he was heading to a dig organized by his metal detecting club in South Wiltshire in the UK. He arrived late late and he missed the club meeting, rather than waste the day he decided to stop at another site in the county on his way home.

After an hour and a half of trudging through rain and mud, he headed back to his car. He had not had a single signal for about 15 minutes when he got a slight response, one that any detectorist will tell you is probably not worth digging. However having had so very few signals for a while, he decided to dig it up anyway. Six inches down he dug out a chunk of earth and sticking out of the side was the unmistakable glint of gold. Just 0.8in in diameter and weighing 0.2 ounces, it bears the head of Licinius I on one side and depicts him standing between two captives holding a spear on the other. Above is the triumphant slogan 'ubique victores' - 'everywhere victories'.

The three other known examples of this type are in The British Museum, the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.Source: BBC News

World War II changed everything in American society from 1941–1945. Changes in coinage also led to errors by the United States Mint — and some of these so-called “error cents” can be worth thousands or even millions of dollars!

These errors resulted from the change in metals during the war when the U.S. Mint had to divert much of the copper used to strike cents to the wartime production of weapons and ammunition. In 1943, the composition of the cent was changed from 95 percent copper, 5 percent zinc to zinc-coated steel. Near the end of the war in 1944, the mint returned to the former copper alloy.

In mint facilities, the transition from copper to steel and then back to copper didn’t go so smoothly. Sometimes, pre-1943 bronze planchets*were struck with dies for the 1943 cents, which created copper-alloy strikes instead of zinc-coated cents. Then, in 1944, some of the 1943 zinc-coated steel blanks made it into the production facilities, leading to zinc-coated steel 1944 strikes instead of copper-alloy cents.

The mistakes were usually discovered pretty quickly, so these wartime error cents are in short supply —, the rarest ones are some of the most valuable American coins produced in the 20th century. The highest recorded price paid for an off-metal 1943 or 1944 cent was $1.7 million for the only known bronze 1943-D cent.

At a recent Heritage Auction in New York, several of these wartime cents went under the gavel. One of the highlights was a bronze 1943 Lincoln cent produced at the Philadelphia Mint that sold for $88,125. In addition, several other important off-metal errors sold for big bucks, including a bronze 1943-S cent that went for $141,000, and zinc-coated steel 1944 and 1944-D cents, which sold for $30,550 each. Pretty nice prices for a coin whose face value is only one cent!

*Definition: A planchet is a prepared disc-shaped metal blank onto which the devices of a coin image are struck or pressed. The metal disc is called a blank until the time it passes through the upsetting machinewhich causes the rim to be raised. Once it has a rim, the disc is called a planchet.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

At this time of year us poor unfortunate folk here in the
East do not have the advantage of warm temperatures, so we eventually have to
pack up our equipment for the long cold winter ahead.

Before your metal detector away, be sure to remove the
batteries from your detector and pin pointer as well. It would also be a good
idea to clean any dirt and dust on your detector, coil, shovels and pin
pointer.

If you have a water metal detector that you use in the
ocean, wash off your equipment with fresh water, this includes scoops. Remember
salt water can be very corrosive and could damage your equipment. Do not store your detector in a cold damp basement or
garage.

Some people store them in the original box it came and I have also
heard of some putting their detectors away in a gun style padded case which is
a good idea. Tractor Supply Co. has 52
inch long rifle cases for about $15.Many of us spend more time on our computers during the winter months. This is an excellent time to do some online research about local sites for tips for the Spring. You may also want to check your local library or historical society.

(908) 595-9933

Lost Treasure has an online newsletter that apparently comes out twice a month.Her is a link to the newsletter.http://www.losttreasure.com/FTP-root/Newsletter_Flip/ltonlinenewsletter11-5-13/index.htmlTheir main website page is: http://www.losttreasure.com

Monday, November 4, 2013

As approved at the last club meeting, Glen will be ordering 5 dozen T-shirts.

50/50 Dry Blend Tee

He has not yet calculated the number he will order of each size or color; however, he would like to make sure you get the quantity, size, color and if you want a pocket. He can order Black or Sport Gray and with or with out a pocket (prices vary)

The Deep Search logo will be large on the middle of the back and 3.5 inches in the front.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 112-152), signed into law on August 3, 2012, requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to:

50,000 $5 gold coins

400,000 $1 silver coins

750,000 half-dollar clad coins

These coins are being issued in recognition and celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2014.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Coins are scheduled to go on sale in early 2014.

Surcharges for each coin sold are authorized to be paid to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an independent not-for-profit educational institution, to help fund its operations. Surcharges per coin are:

$35 for each gold coin

$10 for each silver coin

$5 for each half-dollar coin

The winning design, submitted by, Cassie McFarland was selected from the finalists by the Department of the Treasury on September 4, 2013, after consultation with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Apparently a Georgia man thought, if there was ever a good time to look for Civil War artifacts at Kennesaw Mountain, a partial government shutdown would be perfect.

He was wrong.

Rangers are still on the job at national battlefield on Cheatham Hill Road. They caught the man taking his metal detector to the park and digging up artifacts.

A Cobb County, GA police officer spotted the man heading into one of the most “archeological sensitive areas of the park,” said Park Ranger Anthony Winegar.

Rangers waited until the man returned to his car with his goodies.

The suspect is facing several federal charges.

Warnings are up in several spots around the battlefield to warn people that digging for artifacts is illegal. This area is where the main union assault of the Kennesaw Mountain campaign took place.

Rangers say stealing the items is like stealing from history.

“A particular bullet fired from particular style of gun can tell us where the round was fired from and what types of equipment of the lines was issues,” said Winegar. “That’s very valuable for historians for recreating the battle later on.”

Normally, an archaeologist would be called in to check out the area where the suspect found the items, but because of the shutdown, that is on hold.

For some time Burlington County NJ Parks rules and regulations allowed metal detecting in their parksThe old regulation stated:"Metal detecting is no permitted within 100 feet of any building. Recovery Tools may only cause minimal disturbance and digging may not exceed six inches in depth. Disturbed areas must be restored to their original condition. Articles that are of apparent historical or personal significance such as artifacts and jewelry must be return to the nearest Burlington County Parks System office. Metal detecting is not permitted at Historic Smithville Park, the Historic Burlington County Prison Museum, or in or any maintained, landscaped area (including sod).

A gold coin known was sold recently for $2.75 million at Bonhams auction house in Los Angeles, Mining.com reported.The 1880 $4 Coiled Hair Stella is six grams of pure gold and was never released in circulation.The precise number minted has been lost, but it is widely believed that no more than 10 to 15 exist. This particular coin that was sold is considered to be the finest certified piece ever auctioned.The sale of the 1880 Coiled Hair Stella from the "Tacasyl Collection of Magnificent United States Proof Gold Coins" exceeded early estimates by 66.6 percent and places the coin among the top 10 most valuable U.S coins sold at auction.Photo: FoxNews

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The American Anthropological Association has written to the Travel Channel objecting to and asking for changes in the TV show "Dig Wars," in which contestants are sent to various locations with metal detectors to see if they can locate and dig up antiquities. The material they dig up is called "loot," and is evaluated for its financial value.

"Reasonable viewers watching this program may be mistakenly led to believe that such behaviors are ethically acceptable," says the letter. "On the contrary, the looting as portrayed in the show is deeply disturbing. The overall message is that this nation's cultural and historical heritage is 'loot' that is up for grabs for anyone with a metal detector and shovel. This is the wrong message to give the public, especially in an age when so many historical sites are disappearing." The association offered to identify trained archaeologists who could help the network "communicate the excitement of discovery and of history in a more responsible, ethical and engaging manner."

A spokeswoman for the Travel Channel said via e-mail that no laws are broken. She said that the competition takes place with the full permission of the owners of the land where digging take place. Further, she said that items that are excavated are either returned to the land owners or given to local museums, and she said that the channel believes that "metal detecting enthusiasts should always abide by state and federal laws." She added: "We respect the numerous opinions as it relates to the gathering and preservation of artifacts. We welcome the dialogue, and hope that Travel Channel's programming will continue to inspire viewers to travel to new destinations to discover each location's unique history."

Unusual' bills are being bought, sold and hunted on the website Cool Serial Numbers.com,with low serial numbers, from 00000001 to 00000100, being particularly sought after, a $1 bill with the serial number 00000002 going for $2,500.

The U.S. based site lists all the different notes that collectors are looking out for and allows serial number fans to get in touch with one another.

There are categories such as 'solids' (where the digits repeat eight times), 'ladders' (12345678), 'radars' (01133110 - where the number reads the same left-to-right as right-to-left) and 'repeaters' (20012001 - the second half is the same as the first half).

A $5 bill with the number 33333333 is currently up for sale for $13,000, while a set of nine $20 bills running from 00000010 through to 00000090 can be bought for $1,800.

Make sure the artifact/coin is free of any oil coating like olive oil if you previous had soaked this object. The oil coating prevents the Hydrogen Peroxide from working on the dirt.

Put object to be cleaned in disposable plastic bowl and then pour Hydrogen Peroxide on top until it is at least a half an inch above the object to be cleaned.

Using the lamp as a heater, I position the lamp to within 2-4 inches of the bowl. This heats up the solution. Be careful not to cause anything to melt from too much heat, use common sense for this part. A Heat Source is NOT necessary, but it does speed up the cleaning significantly...

ADDED: YOU CAN USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT THE PEROXIDE UP FIRST, BUT BE CAREFUL AND PLEASE USE A SAFE CONTAINER WITH NO METAL IN IT, PUT THE RELIC/COIN IN AFTER THE HEAT UP IN THE MICROWAVE!!!!!

If the solution is hot enough the boiling of the Peroxide should be very evident to you and should remind you of a geyser. Once it is cooking it sprays the bubbles and smokes a little also. This should continue for anywhere from one hour to two or three.

Periodically remove the object if you want to check on the progress. I usually then lay it on a napkin and take a cotton swab and start to gently rub and see how much crud is coming off the object. It might take several hours or more to get real clean. You might even have to repeat the entire process if the object has a lot of stubborn crud on it.

When the bubbling of the Peroxide stops the cleaning also is done. If it needs more cleaning start over again with fresh fluid.

Keep your cotton swabs wet with the Peroxide while gently rubbing, this will prevent scratches.

When done with your cleaning, rinse the object well with water.

The first coin I did with this method did not require any rubbing whatsoever. I believe each artifact/coin is unique in how it is cleaned. Some did not clean up hardly at all. If it is a corroded object, like a pitted, green Indian Head, I don’t think anything you do will help that.

My best advice is to experiment on non-valuable objects first and then move on to your better finds once you build confidence in what you are doing.

The objects may appear dried out after cleaning, if you want you can coat with a coin preservative like Blue Ribbon Coin Conditioner and Preservative or a similar product that is on the market.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

It is a crime to remove artifacts from federal property.
Unauthorized metal detecting and artifact collecting are strictly forbidden in
national parks.

However, it is legal to search for relics on private
property with the consent of the owners, said Keith Goettner, who used to
search for artifacts in the Fredericksburg, Va., area.

“If you know somebody who lives along an old camp or
battlefield, those are great places to dig,” Goettner said. “I used to find a
lot.”

The Gettysburg area is rich with artifacts buried just below
the ground.

Cary Murphy said there is a grave marker for a fallen
soldier in his backyard. He wouldn’t dream of disturbing it, he said. He’s also
found a bag of bullets, equipment straps, a ring and other small items on his
property. They aren’t for sale at his shop, though.

“That’s part of the house’s history,” he said. “That stays
with the house.”

Goettner said anyone who is relic hunting should be aware of
the boundaries near them and obtain proper permission before setting out.

Hundreds of incidents of looting are reported on federal
land annually, according to the National Park Service Archaeology Program.

From 2004 to 2007, the government documented 3,143 incidents
of looting or vandalism on federal lands. The real number is expected to be
higher because some illegal activity is never uncovered, according to the NPS.

Federal agencies arrested 96 looters between 2004 and 2007.
Citations were given to 351 people in the same time period, according to the
NPS.

More than $1 million of federal parks property was seized
and more than $2.1 million in damaged was caused in the 2004 to 2007 incidents.

Archaeological looters and vandals have been prosecuted
under the federal Antiquities Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection
Act, in addition to more than 40 other federal and state laws.

The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor ARPA offense is one
year in prison and a $100,000 fine, said Katie Lawhon, spokeswoman for
Gettysburg National Military Park. The maximum penalty for a felony ARPA
offense, meaning the damage was more than $500, is two years in prison and a
$250,000 fine.

Central Jersey Rare Coins

Fisher Research Labs

Garrett Metal Detectors

The Gold Digger Metal Detectors

Minelab Metal Detectors

https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors

Teknetics Metal Detectors

https://www.tekneticsdirect.com

XP Metal Detectors America

http://www.xpmetaldetectorsamericas.com

ATTENTION

The Deep Search Metal Detecting Club is asking if any landowner / homeowner with property in the state of New Jersey, might be willing to allow our organization to conduct metal detecting on their land is asked to contact DSMDC President Donna Funk